Indian expats in the UAE were highly engaged in the 2024 general election results of India, with many taking the day off or working from home to follow the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections. The extensive seven-phase election in India led to a roller-coaster experience for residents, with excitement building up throughout the day as results were announced from different constituencies. Mithun Perinchery, a Logistics and Supply chain professional in Dubai, prepared in advance to stay at home and watch the election outcomes without any distractions. He followed the results on various news portals and highlighted the significance of the event for NRIs, as it affects their financial investments back in India.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, secured 240 seats in the Lok Sabha, falling short of the majority threshold of 272. However, with its allies, the BJP reached a majority by winning a total of 293 seats. The election results had a significant impact on the stock market, with India’s stocks suffering a major intraday fall and foreign investors selling the most on record. Nirav Modi, a professional in the Trading and Jewellery industry in Dubai, stayed at home to watch the election results and expressed his surprise at certain constituency outcomes.
CA Dharmajan Patteri chose to work from home on election day, with a YouTube live stream running in the background to keep track of the results. Priyadarshee Panigrahi, a senior business management professional from Odisha based in Dubai, was on a business trip to Qatar during the election day but made sure to watch the results on news channels and portals. He emphasized the importance of being invested in the democratic process as a responsible citizen. Amita Jain, who was in Delhi to drop her mother back after her visit to Dubai, enjoyed watching the election results in India and found the discussions on YouTube channels to be more constructive.
The Indian expat community in the UAE closely followed the election results and analysis, as the outcomes of India’s parliamentary elections hold significance for them due to their financial ties with India. Despite being abroad, many expats took the day off or worked from home to stay updated with the outcomes of the seven-phase election. The impact of the election results on the stock market was noted by professionals in various industries, highlighting the broader implications of the political event. The dedication of expats to stay informed and engaged in the democratic process reflects their commitment to their home country and the importance of being active participants in the decision-making process.
